ASEAN-India Youth

ASEAN-India Youth

Exchange Program 2013

By Saya Linda

Miss Saya Linda (President of the University of Cambodia Student Senate) participated in the “ASEAN-India Youth Exchange Program 2013.” The program was hosted by the Federal Government of India and coordinated by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). There were 110 youths from five ASEAN member states (Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Laos, Indonesia and Malaysia) that participated in the exchange program. The exchange program aimed to promote ASEAN youth entrepreneur leadership, to enhance and strengthen the cooperation between ASEAN countries and India, and to promote cultural exchange between ASEAN and Indian students. Among these 110 delegates, there were 25 youths from Cambodia.

During the 10-day program, the delegates from Cambodia visited three cities – Cochin, Jaipur and New Delhi. During the first three days in Cochin city, there was a wide range of activities. First, delegates attended an introduction session about Cochin city and some Dos and Don’ts in India. Then all delegates went on to sight-seeing at Kerala Folklore, a three-style architectural museum, Kerala seashore, Christian churches and Cochin synagogue. The agenda also included visits to School for Community Management Study, Coir Company, and Greater Cochin Development Authority where we had the chance to interact with Indian students. We learned about Coir’s products and its economic value. Also, we learned about GCDA’s roles in developing Cochin city into an economic hub.

During the next three days in the city of Jaipur, Cambodian delegates visited JECRC, one of the leading college of Management and Engineering school in town. We learned about educational development in India. We were also briefed about the curriculum and facilities at JECRC, as well as an interaction session with its students. The next visit was to Lotus Dairy Enterprise where delegates learned about dairy industry in Jaipur, the company products, and production process in the factory. In addition, there was an interaction session with the Young India Committee (YIC), an institution for young Indian entrepreneurs aged 25-40 which focuses on nation building and individual development. The visit carried on to sight-seeing at two historical sites in the old city of Jaipur - Amber Fort and Jantar Mantar, as well as Chokhi Dhani, a cultural village, for a night out and dining. In the morning we departured to New Delhi for the Opening Ceremony and Gala Dinner.